Poppet valve assembly and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A poppet valve assembly and method of making same are provided and such assembly comprises a housing; a flow passage in the housing with the passage having a central axis and being adapted to flow a fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppet structure for controlling flow through the passage; a support structure for supporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along the axes; an actuator contact on the poppet structure between its head and stem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; and apparatus for engaging the contact to provide the movement wherein the support structure comprises a cylindrical inside surface provided on the housing and having an axial length generally of the order of several times the particular diameter, and the support structure also comprises a cylindrical outside surface on the stem which slideably engages the inside surface, with the inside and outside surfaces cooperating and defining sole means confining the poppet structure against movements transverse the axes during movement of the poppet structure along the axes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new poppet valve assembly for controllingflow therethrough of a fluid, such as gasoline, into a gasoline tanktruck for filling same and out of such tank truck into an undergroundstorage tank at a filling station, and the like, and to a new method ofmaking such a poppet valve assembly.

2. Prior Art Statement

It is known in the art to provide a poppet valve assembly comprising; ahousing; a flow passage in the housing with the passage having a centralaxis and being adapted to flow fluid in either direction therethrough; apoppet structure for controlling fluid flow through the passage with thepoppet structure having a head, a cylindrical stem of a particulardiameter, and a longitudinal axis which coincides with the central axis;means supporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along theaxes; an actuator contact on the poppet structure between the head andstem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; andmeans for engaging the contact to provide the said movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One feature of this invention is to provide a new supporting means for apoppet structure of a poppet valve of the character mentioned whichallows free and unobstructed opening and closing movements of suchpoppet structure yet prevents movements thereof transverse the axis ofthe poppet structure.

In the known poppet valve assembly mentioned in the prior art statementthe means provided for supporting the poppet structure during movementthereof along its axis and the flow axis of its associated flow passageconsists of guides in the housing associated with the poppet structureand such guides are expensive to provide and difficult to manufacturewith the required precision.

However, it has been found in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention that supporting means for a poppet structure of a poppet valveof the character mentioned may be in the form of a cylindrical insidesurface provided on the housing for the poppet valve with suchcylindrical inside surface having an axis extending coaxially with theaxis of the poppet structure and its flow passage and with such insidesurface having an axial length generally of the order of several timesthe diameter of the stem of the poppet structure and with the supportingmeans further comprising a cylindrical outside surface on such stemwhich slideably engages the inside surface and with the inside andoutside surfaces cooperating and defining sole means confining thepoppet structure against movements transverse the axes during movementof the poppet structure along said axes.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a poppet valveassembly comprising; a housing; a flow passage in said housing with thepassage having a central axis and being adapted to flow fluid in eitherdirection therethrough; a poppet structure for controlling fluid flowingthrough the passage with the poppet structure having a head, acylindrical stem of a particular diameter, and a longitudinal axis whichcoincides with the central axis; means supporting the poppet structureduring movement thereof along the axes; an actuator contact on thepoppet structure between the head and the stem to enable movement of thepoppet structure along the axes; and means for engaging said contact toprovide said movement; with the supporting means comprising acylindrical inside surface provided on the housing and having an axisextending coaxially with the axes and having an axial length generallyof the order of several times the particular diameter, and thesupporting means further comprising a cylindrical outside surface on thestem which slideably engages the inside surface, with the inside andoutside surfaces cooperating and defining sole means confining thepoppet structure against movements transverse said axes during movementof said poppet structure along said axes.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a new poppet valveassembly which has unique means for engaging a contact on a poppetstructure to provide movement between its closed and open positions.

It has also been found that in the known poppet valve assembly mentionedin the prior art statement the means provided for engaging a contact ona poppet structure to provide movement of such poppet structure from itsclosed to open positions consists of a shaft carried by the valveassembly housing for rotary movements thereof and an actuator detachablyfastened to the shaft and wherein the shaft is held in position by anordinary retaining ring which does not provide optimum results. Inaddition, in such known poppet valve assembly a comparatively complexoperating handle, and associated structure, are required.

However, it has been found according to the teachings of this inventionthat the means for engaging a contact on a poppet structure to providemovement of such poppet structure may be in the form of a shaft carriedby the valve assembly housing for rotary movements thereof and anactuator detachably fastened to the shaft with the shaft and actuatorhaving outer annular surfaces which together define the sole meansengaging structural portions associated with its associated valveassembly housing to hold the shaft and actuator against movementsparallel to a central axis of the shaft while allowing the rotarymovements of the shaft to enable the actuator to engage with the saidcontact.

Thus, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention a poppetvalve assembly is provided which comprises a housing; a flow passage inthe housing with the passage having a central axis and being adapted toflow fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppet structure forcontrolling fluid flow through the passage with the poppet structurehaving a head, a cylindrical stem of a particular diameter, and alongitudinal axis which coincides with the central axis; meanssupporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along the axes;an actuator contact on the poppet structure between the head and thestem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; andmeans for engaging the contact to provide the said movement wherein theengaging means comprises a shaft carried by said housing for rotarymovements thereof and an actuator detachably fastened to said shaft,with the shaft and actuator having outer annular surfaces which togetherdefine the sole means engaging structural portions associated with saidhousing to hold said shaft and actuator against movements parallel to acentral axis of said shaft while allowing said rotary movements of saidshaft to enable said actuator to engage said contact.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new poppetvalve assembly having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of makingsuch a poppet valve assembly, the method of this invention having one ormore of the novel features of this invention as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other features, objects, uses, and advantages of this invention areapparent from a reading of this description which proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show present preferred embodiments of thisinvention, in which

FIG. 1 is a view with parts in cross section, parts in elevation, partsshown in dotted lines, and parts broken away illustrating one exemplaryembodiment of a poppet valve assembly of this invention with one end ofsuch valve assembly installed on a flange of a gasoline tank truck andwith the valve assembly being shown in its closed position; and, suchvalve assembly has an unload coupler coupled thereto at its opposite endfor flow of gasoline from the tank truck through the valve assembly andunload coupler into a gasoline storage tank, or the like;

FIG. 1A is a modification of the valve assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a view taken essentially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken essentially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper left-hand portion ofFIG. 2 particularly illustrating a handle used to open and close thepoppet valve assembly and certain structure associated with such handle;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the poppet valve assembly ina partially open unloading position;

FIG. 6 is a view taken essentially on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken essentially on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to the central portion of FIG. 5 showing thepoppet valve assembly in a fully open unload position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the lower portion of thehandle and an associated stop in the valve assembly position of FIG. 8with the showing in FIG. 9 being similar to the showing in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view of the poppet valve assembly with its one endinstalled on the flange of a gasoline tank truck but with a load couplerbeing coupled thereto at its opposite end, and showing the loading ofgasoline through the valve assembly into the tank of the tank truck;

FIG. 11 is a view taken essentially on the line 11--11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded isometric view of the poppet valve assembly ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adapted to provide a poppet valveassembly for use with tank truck equipment in dispensing and flowinggasoline and the like therethrough in a manner known in the art, it isto be understood that the various features of this invention can beutilized singly or in various combinations thereof to provide poppetvalve assemblies for dispensing other fluids and in other applications,as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrates one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings which illustrates oneexemplary embodiment of a poppet valve assembly of this invention whichis designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The valve assembly20 is particularly adapted to be used with tank truck equipment such asgasoline tank trucks used to haul gasoline to a gasoline service stationfor motor vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, and the like.

The valve assembly 20 has a flange end terminating in a flange 21defining one end thereof and an adapter end terminating in an adapterflange 22 at its opposite end. The flange 21 is particularly adapted tobe fastened by a plurality of threaded bolts 23 to a truck flange 24provided on a gasoline tank truck (not shown) and the truck flange 24 isin fluid flow communication, in a manner known in the art, with agasoline tank of such tank truck to enable gasoline from within the tankto flow through the valve assembly upon opening thereof and as will bedescribed in more detail subsequently.

The adapter flange 22 is particularly adapted to have a so-called unloadcoupler 25, of any suitable type known in the art, detachably fastenedthereto by a plurality of cam levers 26 having clamping ends whichengage an annular surface 27 on the adapter flange 22 and hold theunload coupler 25 so that an annular gasket seal 30 thereof is influid-tight engagement against an annular planar end surface 31 of theadapter flange 22. With the unload coupler 25 fastened in sealedrelation with its seal 30 against annular surface 31 the valve assembly20 is opened utilizing a manually operated actuating handle 33 thereofto thereby enable a fluid, such as gasoline, to flow from the tank inthe tank truck through the truck flange 21, valve assembly 20, unloadcoupler 25, and into an underground gasoline storage tank of the typeutilized at a gasoline filling station and as is known in the art. Theadapter flange 22 is also particularly adapted to have a so-called loadcoupler, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 35 inFIG. 10 of the drawings, detachably fastened thereto and such loadcoupler 35 will be described in more detail subsequently.

The valve assembly 20 comprises a housing which is designated generallyby the reference numeral 36 and a flow passage in the form of asubstantially annular flow passage 37 is provided through the housingand such passage has a central axis 40. The flow passage 37 is adaptedto flow fluid such as gasoline in either direction therethrough. Inparticular, when utilizing the valve assembly 20 with unload coupler 25fluid flow is from right to left as shown in FIG. 5; and, when utilizingthe valve assembly 20 in connection with load coupler 35 fluid flow isfrom left to right as shown in FIG. 10.

The valve assembly 20 comprises a poppet structure which is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 42 in FIGS. 1 and 12, and such poppetstructure is provided for controlling fluid flow through the passage 37.The poppet structure 42 has a poppet head 43, a cylindrical stem 44 of aparticular diameter 45, and a longitudinal axis 46 which coincides withthe central axis 40.

The valve assembly 20 also has means, designated generally by thereference numeral 47 in FIG. 1, supporting the poppet structure 42during movement thereof along the coinciding axes 40 and 46; and, thevalve assembly 20 has an actuator contact 49 on the poppet structurebetween the head 43 and stem 44 thereof to enable movement of the poppetstructure 42 along the axes 40 and 46. The valve assembly 20 also hasengaging means 50 for engaging the contact 49 to provide the saidmovement of the poppet structure 42 and such engaging means 50 will bedescribed in more detail subsequently.

In accordance with the teachings of this invention the supporting means47 of the valve assembly 20 comprises a cylindrical inside surface 51provided on the housing 36 and such cylindrical inside surface 51 has anaxis which extends coaxially and coincides with the axes 40 and 46 andsuch surface 51 has an axial length 52 which is generally of the orderof several times the particular diameter 45 of the stem 44. Thesupporting means 47 also comprises a cylindrical outside surface 53 onthe stem 44 and the surface 53 slideably engages the cylindrical insidesurface 51. The inside and outside surfaces 51 and 53 respectivelycooperate and define the sole means confining the poppet structureagainst movements transverse the axes 40 and 46 during movement of thepoppet structure 42 along such axes.

As will be readily apparent from FIG. 1 of the drawings the particulardiameter 45 is large when compared to the effective diameter 54 of thepoppet head 43 and such effective diameter 54 is shown as the mediandiameter of an O-ring seal 55 carried by the poppet head 44 and as suchseal engages a frustoconical inside surface 56 of the adapter flange 22.The large diameter 45 assures that movement of the poppet structure 42along the axes 40 and 46 is free of tilting movements transverse suchaxes. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention the effectivediameter 54 is preferably no more than five times greater than theparticular diameter 45.

Reference is now made, for convenience in the placing of referencenumerals on the drawings, to FIG. 5 of such drawings and it is seen thatthe housing 36 is comprised of a plurality of two component housingparts shown as parts 60 and 61. The cylindrical inside surface 51 isprovided on the part 60 and the parts 60 and 61 are held together by aplurality of threaded bolts 62. An annular O-ring seal 63 is disposed ina stepped annular groove at the inner end of part 60 and the seal 63provides a fluid-tight seal between parts 60 and 61. As will be readilyapparent from the drawings the housing part 60 has the flange 21 definedat its outer end while the housing part 61 has the adapter flange 22defined at its outer end.

The housing part 60 also has an integral deflector 64 (FIG. 5) which hasa substantially frustoconical or bulletnosed configuration provided withan outside surface 65, and the deflector surrounds the inside surface51. The outside surface 65 of deflector 64 defines one wall of theannular passage 37 through the housing part 60 and the outer wall ofthat portion of the annular passage 37 associated with the housing part60 is defined by an inside surface portion 66 of the housing part 60. Itwill also be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawings that the integraldeflector 64 has a plurality of four integral ribs 67 extending betweensuch deflector and the inside surface 66 of the housing part 60. Theportion of the annular passage 37 through the housing part 61, once thepoppet structure 42 is partially or fully open, is defined by outersurface portions of the head portion of structure 42 and an insidesurface 68 in part 61, as shown in FIG. 5.

The poppet structure 42 of the valve assembly 20 is preferably in theform of a single-piece structure; and, such structure has an opening 69defined therein and as best seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings. The opening69 is preferably provided in a transition portion 70 of poppet structure42 between the poppet head 43 and the poppet stem 44. The valve assembly20 has a roller 71 rotatably supported by the poppet structure 42 withinthe opening 69 on a pin 72 which is suitably held in position in thepoppet structure 42 as will be described subsequently. The roller 71 hasan axis of rotation which is coplanar with the axes 40 and 46 and thecontact 49 is defined by the outside surface of the roller and as alsoseen at 74 in FIG. 12.

As previously mentioned the valve assembly 20 has means 50 (FIGS. 1 and12) for engaging the contact 49 to provide movement of the poppetstructure 42 along the axes 40 and 46. As best seen in FIG. 12 theengaging means 50 comprises a shaft 75 carried by the housing 36 and inparticular carried by part 60 of housing 36 for rotary movements thereofand an actuator 76 detachably fastened to the shaft 75.

The shaft 75 and actuator 76 have outer annular surfaces 79 and 80respectively which together define the sole means engaging structuralportions associated with the housing 36 to hold the shaft 75 andactuator 76 against movements parallel to the central axis 81 of theshaft 75 while allowing rotary movements of the shaft 75 to enable theactuator 76 to engage the contact 49 defined by the outside surface 49of roller 71.

The actuator 76 has a tubular body or hub portion 82 and annular edge 80defines one end edge of the hub portion 82 while an end edge 83 definesthe opposite end edge. The actuator 76 also has an actuating cam fingerportion 84 and such cam finger has a precision computer-generated camsurfaces 85 which engages the contact 49 and provides actuating forcesonly along the axes 40 and 46 throughout the entire actuating range ofthe actuator 76 and cam surface 85. It will be appreciated that theentire actuating range of the actuator 76 consists entirely of pivotingmovements i.e., partial rotary movements which are imparted to the shaft75 by the actuating handle 33 in a manner to be described in detailsubsequently.

The cam surface 85 is made utilizing the latest state-of-the-artcomputer equipment; and, basically surface 85 is defined by what may beconsidered an infinite number of points which represent a correspondingnumber of rotary positions of the cam finger 84 such that at eachposition of cam finger 84 the force applied by the cam surface 85against contact 49 is a force which tends to open the poppet structure42 and is coaxial with the axes 40 and 46.

As previously mentioned the roller 71 is held in position in the opening69 of the poppet structure 42 by pin 72. The pin may be of any suitabletype and thus of a type which is press-fitted in position withinassociated aligned openings 86 in the poppet structure 42. The pin mayalso be of a type which has tubular end portions which are particularlyadapted for insertion of a flaring tool therein so that once such endportions are inserted in the aligned openings 86 the tubular endportions may be flared to thereby hold the pin 72 and roller 71 inposition.

Reference is again made to FIG. 12 of the drawings which shows inisometric view the previously mentioned actuating handle 33 andassociated structure and such handle and structure also comprise theengaging means 50. The handle 33 is attached to an outer end 87 of theshaft 75 by a pivot pin 90 which extends through a pair of alignedopenings 91 in such handle and a cooperating opening 92 in the end 87 ofshaft 75. Once the pivot pin 90 is extended through the openings 91 and92 a washer 93 is placed in position around the forward end of pin 90and a spring clip 94 is provided and disposed in a known mannertherearound in an annular groove 95 in such forward end of the pin 90 tothereby hold such pin in position and thereby hold the handle 33 on theend of the shaft 75. The handle 33 is used to provide manual rotarymovements of the shaft 75 and hence the actuator 76 fastened thereto.Thus, components 33, 75, and 76 define the major components of theengaging means 50.

As previously mentioned the actuator 76 is detachably fastened to theshaft 75 and the means providing such detachable fastening is in theform of pin means shown as a pair of pins each designated by the samereference numeral 96. Each pin 96 extends through an associated bore 100in the hub portion of the actuator 76 and through an associated bore 101in the shaft 75 so that once the pins 96 are extended through bores 100and 101 the actuator 76 is detachably fastened to the shaft 75.

The valve assembly 20 is a normally closed valve assembly which is keptclosed by a mechanical compression spring 102 as seen in FIG. 1. Thespring 102 acts between an annular surface 103 (FIG. 5) in the housingpart 60 of the housing 36 and an annular ledge 104 in the transitionportion 70 of the poppet structure 42 to thereby continuously yieldinglyurge the poppet structure and in particular the poppet head 43 of suchstructure toward its closed position so that in such closed position theO-ring seal 55 is in sealed relation against the sealing surface 56 ofthe adapter flange 22.

The valve assembly 20 is used during unloading operations with theunload coupler 25 attached in position. The handle 33 is then manuallyrotated to override the compression spring 102 through the action ofactuator 76 to thereby allow fluid flow from right to left as shown inFIG. 5 and thereby enable fluid flow from a tank of a tank truck throughthe valve assembly 20 and through the unload coupler 25. The valveposition of FIG. 5 is a partially open position; however, the valveassembly 20 may be opened, utilizing the handle 33, to a plurality ofopen positions and for this purpose a stop 105 is provided on the valveassembly 20.

The stop 105 is best seen in FIG. 12 and such stop 105 has a threadedend 106 which is threadedly received within a cooperating threadedportion of the housing part 60. The stop 105 also has a smooth rod-likeouter portion 107 which is particularly adapted to be engaged by thehandle 33, as will now be described.

For the purpose of holding handle 33 and hence valve assembly 20 in aplurality of open positions the handle has recess means shown in thisexample as a plurality of two cutouts or recesses 110 and 111 which aredefined in an inner end portion 112 of such handle. The two recesses 110and 111 define a corresponding plurality of two holding surfaces 113 and114 on the inner end portion 112.

In this example, the two recesses 110 and 111 enable the valve assembly20 to be held in two open positions. In particular, the recess 110 withits holding surface 113 enable holding of the valve assembly 20 in thepartially open unload position illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Therecess 111 with its holding surface 115 enable holding of the valveassembly 20 in the fully open unload position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9.

Referring again to FIG. 12 of the drawings it is seen that the handle 33has means 115 normally yieldingly urging the holding surfaces 113 and114 away from the stop 105 and in particular away from the surface 107of such stop whereby with the holding surfaces 113 and 114 urged awayfrom stop 105 the poppet structure 42 and hence the valve assembly 20are held closed by spring 102.

As previously mentioned the pin 90 is provided for attaching the handle33 to the end 87 of the shaft 75 while allowing pivoting movements ofsuch handle about pin 90. The urging means 115 previously mentionedcomprises spring means in the form of a plurality of cupped springwashers 116 cooperating with a plurality of flat washers 117, and a hubmember 120 carried concentrically around the shaft 75 adjacent the end87 thereof. The hub member 120 has a tubular end 121 and a transverseslot means 122 is provided in the end 121. The urging means 115 isinstalled on the shaft 75 and the pin 90 extends through slot means 122of the hub member 121 whereby such member cannot rotate relative to theshaft 75. The hub member 120 has a hub axis 125 which coincides with theaxis 81 of the shaft 75 and such member 120 comprises a first annularsurface 123 disposed in a first plane which is perpendicular to the hubaxis 125 and a second annular surface 124 disposed in a second planewhich is at an angle to the hub axis 125. The second annular surface orangled surface 124 engages the handle 33 and serves to hold such handlewith its holding surfaces 113 and 114 away from the stop 105 due to theaction of the spring means 115 urging the hub member 120, i.e. angledsurface 124 of member 120, against the handle and thereby causingpivoting movement of the inner end portion 112 of the handle away fromthe stop 105.

With the above-described action by the urging means 115, the handle 33is always urged so that the holding surfaces 113 and 114 thereof areaway from the stop 105 unless such surfaces are physically placedagainst such stop by an operator. Thus, the handle 33 is ineffective tohold the shaft 75 in any particular position unless a valve operatoroverrides the spring 102. If an operator does not override spring 102the valve assembly 20 is always in its closed position.

To partially open the valve assembly 20 from its closed position to theposition shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 the handle 33 is grasped by anoperator and rotated so that recess 110 is aligned opposite the stop 105whereupon the handle is pivoted about its pivot pin 90 so that the outerportion of the handle 33 is normally moved toward the operator and theholding surface 113 is engaged against surface 107 of the stop 105. Inthis position, fluid flow through the valve assembly 20 is from right toleft, essentially as shown by the arrows F in FIG. 5.

To fully open the valve assembly 20 from the partially open position ofFIG. 5, the operator grasps the outer end of the handle 33 and firstpivots such outer end about pivot pin 90 until the holding surface 113is moved away from pin 105. The operator then continues rotation ofhandle 33 until the recess 111 thereof is aligned with the stop pin 105whereupon the handle is again pivoted about the pivot pin 90 until theholding surface 114 engages the stop 105 to thereby hold the valveassembly 20 in its fully open position, which is the positionillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. It will be appreciated that flow of fluidin such fully open position is also from right to left as shown by theflow arrows F in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that in each instancethat the handle 33 is actuated to rotate the shaft 75 forces aretransmitted through the hub portion 83 of actuator 76 to its fingerportion 84 and in turn to roller 71 by means of cam surfaces 85 tothereby override the compression spring 102. Once the valve assembly 20has been either partially opened or fully opened, the force required tokeep the spring compressed acts back through the system and througheither holding surface 113 or 114 against the stop 105 and in particularsurface 107 of such stop and such force is sufficient that thefrictional contact between either surface 113 or 114 and stop 105 issufficient to hold the lever against the stop even with the urging meanstending to urge portion 112 away from the stop 105.

As previously mentioned the engaging means 50 comprises the shaft 75 andthe actuataor 76 and such shaft and actuator have outer annular surfaces79 and 80 respectively which together define the sole means engagingstructural portions associated with the housing to hold the shaft andactuator against movements parallel to the central axis 81 of the shaftwhile allowing rotary movements of the shaft to enable the actuator 76to engage the contact 49. The structural portions associated with thehousing 36 referred to consist of an annular surface 129 (FIG. 2)provided on a portion 126 of part 60 of housing 36 and other strucuturalportions comprising a tubular member 127 and a wavy spring member 130which are disposed concentrically around the shaft 75. The spring member130 is sandwiched between an annular surface 131 (FIG. 4) on housingpart 60 of housing 36 and tubular member 127 once the actuator 76 isinstalled in position on shaft 75.

The actuator 76 is readily installed on the shaft 75 using the structureof this invention and such shaft 75 and actuator are held againstmovements parallel to the central axis 81 of such shaft. The housingpart 60 has a bore 132 in an integral boss 133 thereof. It is acomparatively simple matter to install and hold the poppet structure 42in position by compressing spring 102. After disposing members 136 and141 thereon, the shaft 75 is then partially inserted through bore 132and actuator 76, member 127, and spring washer 130 disposed therearound.A reduced diameter portion 135 of shaft 75 is then disposed in a bore136 (FIG. 2) in housing part 60 so that annular surface 79 is disposedadjacent surface 129. Finger portion 84 of actuator 76 is disposed inopening 69. The outer end of shaft 75 is then held against axialmovement and hub portion 82 is positioned axially until bores 100therein are aligned with the bores 101 in the shaft 75 whereupon thepins 96 are installed in position. The construction and arrangement ofparts are such that once the hub portion is pinned in position by pins96 of the shaft 75 and actuator 76 are effectively held axially solelyby annular surface 79 engaging annular surface 129 and annular surface80 engaging member 127 which is held axially in position by springmember 130 engaging the surface 131 previously described. The pins 96are easy to install in position, particularly with housing 36 being intwo parts.

As seen in FIG. 12, the valve assembly 20 also has the previouslymentioned member 136 which is a tubular flanged collar 136 disposedaround the outer end portion of the shaft 75. The flanged collar 136 isheld in position by an integral annular projection 137 provided on theshaft and which engages the outer surface 140 on the flange portion ofcollar 136. Member 141 is an O-ring seal 141 provided so that it isdisposed between the inner end edge of the collar 136 and an annularsurface 142 provided adjoining the inner end edge of the cylindricalbore 132 in the boss 133.

In using the valve assembly 20 of this invention an operator wouldnormally manually actuate such assembly by the handle 33 so that thehandle would be closer to the operator than the remainder of the valveassembly. Should the operator, for any reason, lose his grasp of thehandle 33 the urging means 115 will operate such that the outer portionof such handle will be urged away from the operator and thus not tend towhip such operator.

As mentioned earlier, to open the valve assembly 20 the compressionspring 102, which normally holds the poppet structure 42 closed, isoverrriden by the finger portion 84 of cam actuator 76 engaging contact49 on the roller 71 whereupon the poppet structure 42 is moved so thatthe poppet head 43 and its O-ring seal 55 are moved away from sealingsurface 56 of the adapter flange 22. In the partially open position ofFIG. 5 the movement of the poppet structure is partial and in the fullyopen position of FIG. 8 the movement of the poppet structure issubstantially the maximum possible opening movement thereof.

As previously indicated the poppet valve assembly 20 may also be used toload a fluid, such as gasoline, in a tank truck. In this mode ofoperation instead of fluid flow being from right to left as shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, fluid flow if from left to right as shown in FIG. 10. Touse the valve assembly 20 as a loading valve a load coupler isdetachably fastened to the adapter flange 22 as will now be described.

The load coupler 35 is basically a standard coupler of a type known inthe art and does not comprise any part of this invention. The loadcoupler has a pair of pivoted cam arms or cams 146 which are pivoted onassociated pivot pins 147 and the cam arms 146 are actuated by a pair ofassociated linkage assemblies 150. The linkage assemblies 150 areconnected to a common shaft (not shown) which is in turn rotated by amanually operated handle (also not shown) so that upon rotating thehandle in one direction a pair of links 151 of the linkage assemblies150 are moved to the right as shown by the arrows 152 in FIG. 10 causingthe cam arms 146 to be pivoted about their pivot pins 146 whereby theworking ends of such cam arms engage annular surface 27 of the adapterflange and clamp the load coupler 35 in position thereagainst. Duringthis clamping action an annular gasket seal 153 comprising the loadcoupler 35 engages a planar annular outside surface 154 on the adapterflange 22 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the load coupler 35 andthe valve assembly 20.

The above-mentioned load coupler handle that is moved to thereby movethe linkage assembly 150 and thus move links 151 which provide a lockingof the cam arms 146 also simultaneously opens a poppet 155 of the loadcoupler 35 and the construction and arrangement of such load coupler issuch that movement of its poppet 155 does not occur until the gasketseal 153 provides the above-mentioned seal between the load coupler 35and valve assembly. The poppet 155 is connected to the load couplerhandle by a suitable linkage 156 of which only the forward end thereofis shown in FIG. 10.

Once the load coupler 35 is coupled in sealed relation to the valveassembly 20 the poppet 155 engages the poppet head 43 thereby overridingthe compression spring 102 and moving the poppet head 43 away fromsurface 56 of the adapter flange 22. This movement of the poppets allowsflow of fluid which is in a supply tank associated with the load coupler35 to flow from left to right, as indicated by arrows F in FIG. 10, andthus through the valve assembly 20 and into the tank of the tank truck.

During the loading operation shown in FIG. 10, the handle 33 isyieldingly urged by urging means 115 so that its lower or inner portion112 is away from the stop 105, as shown at 157 in FIG. 11. Because thehandle 33 is operatively connected through contact 49 of roller 71,actuator 76, and shaft 75 to the poppet structure, the handle 33 issimply rotated to whatever position the poppet structure 42 is moved bythe poppet 155 during the loading operation. In essence, the handle 33simply goes along for the ride during a loading operation.

As mentioned above, the handle 33 is yieldingly urged by the urgingmeans 115 so that its inner end portion 112 is kept away from the stop105. This assures that the handle 33 will not obstruct opening movementof the poppet structure 42 during a loading operation. Once the loadcoupler 35 is disconnected, the urging means 115 still keeps the handleaway from the stop 105 in a positive manner whereby the spring 102provides a positive and rapid closing of the poppet structure and henceof the valve assmbly 20.

The load coupler 35 illustrated in FIG. 10 and described herein is onlyone exemplary embodiment of a load coupler which may be used to providea loading operation; and, it is to be understood that any suitable loadcoupler may be used, provided that it can be coupled into sealingengagement with the adapter flange 22 and has components which canoverride the spring 102 and move the poppet structure 42 away from itsclosed position.

In this disclosure of the invention the means supporting the poppetstructure during movement thereof along axes 40 and 46 has beendescribed as comprising a cylindrical inside surface 51 provided on thehousing 36 and a cylindrical outside surface 53 on the stem 44 of thepoppet structure 42 which slideably engages the inside surface 51.However, a modification of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A ofthe drawings and in this modification it will be seen that the valveassembly 20 is provided with an antifriction sleeve 160 carried by thehousing part 60 of the housing 36. The antifriction sleeve 160 has aninside cylindrical surface which is also designated by the referencenumeral 51 and is particularly adapted to receive the outside surface 53of the stem 44 thereagainst.

The sleeve 160 is basically in the form of a sleeve bearing made of asuitable antifriction anti-galling plastic material which is compatiblewith the fluid to be associated therewith. The sleeve 160 has afrustoconical end 161 defined as an integral part thereof which definesan annular shoulder 162. The sleeve 160 may be easily installed inposition in a conventional press by relatively moving the housingportion 60 and sleeve 160 until shoulder 162 of sleeve end 161 snaps inposition against the annular edge 163 of the integral deflector 64 ofhousing portion 60. The sleeve 160 has an integral flange 165 at the endthereof opposite end 161 which facilitates installation of such sleeve.The sleeve 160 may also be readily removed in a press and replaced witha new sleeve. Once installed in housing portion 60 the sleeve 160 isbasically locked against axial movement by its annular flange 165 andshoulder 162 engaging housing portion 60.

The shape of the end 161 of the sleeve 160 is such that it blendssmoothly with the outside surface of the substantially frustoconicaldeflector 64 and as shown at 166 to thereby allow smooth fluid flowtherearound. In addition, the antifriction sleeve 160 helps improve thewear life between the poppet structure 42 and housing part 60 to helpincrease the overall operating life of the valve assembly 20.

Thus, it is seen that this invention provides a new valve assembly 20which can be used both as a loading valve and an unloading valve forgasoline tank trucks, or the like. Further, this invention also providesa new method of making such a valve assembly.

While the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beenillustrated and described as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillfall within the scope of the appended claims wherein each claim setsforth therein what is believed to be known in the art prior to thisinvention in that portion of each claim that is presented before theterm "the improvement" and sets forth what is believed to be new in theart according to this invention in that portion of each claim that ispresented after the term "the improvement" whereby it is believed thateach claim sets forth a novel, useful, and unobvious invention withinthe purview of the Patent Statute.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a poppet valve assembly comprising; a housing;a flow passage in said housing; said passage having a central axis andbeing adapted to flow fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppetstructure for controlling fluid flow through said passage; said poppetstructure having a head, a cylindrical stem of a particular diameter,and a longitudinal axis which coincides with said central axis; meanssupporting said poppet structure during movement thereof along saidaxes; an actuator contact on said poppet structure between said head andsaid stem to enable movement of said poppet structure along said axes;and means for engaging said contact to provide said movement; theimprovement in which said engaging means comprises a shaft carried bysaid housing for rotary movements thereof and an actuator detachablyfastened to said shaft; said shaft and actuator having outer annularsurfaces which together define the sole means engaging structuralportions associated with said housing to hold said shaft and actuatoragainst movements parallel to a central axis of said shaft whileallowing said rotary movements of said shaft to enable said actuator toengage said contact; said engaging means comprising an actuating handleattached to one end of said shaft to provide said rotary movements ofsaid shaft; and said poppet valve assembly further comprising, a stop onsaid housing for holding said handle in a plurality of open positions,recess means in an inner portion of said handle defining a plurality ofholding surfaces on said inner portion which correspond in number tosaid plurality of open positions, said handle having means yieldinglyurging said inner portion and hence said holding surfaces away from saidstop whereby once said inner portion with its holding surfaces is urgedaway from said stop said poppet structure and valve assembly remainnormally closed, a pin extending through aligned holes in said handleand in one end of said shaft to attach said handle to said shaft whileallowing pivoting movements of said handle about said pin and therebyallow said inner portion of said handle and said holding surfaces to bepivoted away from said stop by said urging means, said urging meanscomprising spring means and a cooperating hub member carriedconcentrically around one end of said shaft, said hub member having atubular end and transverse slot means provided in said tubular end, saidhub member being installed on said shaft with said pin extending throughsaid slot means whereby said hub member cannot rotate relative to saidshaft, said hub member also having a central hub axis and a firstannular surface disposed in a first plane which is perpendicular to saidhub axis and a second annular surface disposed in a second plane whichis at an angle to said hub axis, and said second annular and angledsurface engaging said handle and serving to hold the handle with itsholding surfaces away from said stop due to the action of said springmeans urging said angled surface against said handle to thereby causepivoting movement of said inner portion of said handle away from saidstop.
 2. A poppet valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which saidspring means comprises a plurality of cupped spring washers.
 3. A poppetvalve assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said spring meansfurther comprises a plurality of flat washers cooperating with saidspring washers and hub member.
 4. A poppet valve assembly as set forthin claim 2 in which said handle is made from a single piece of material.5. A poppet valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein an operatorwould normally manually actuate same using said handle so that saidhandle would be closer to the operator than the remainder of the valveassembly and in the event said operator loses grasp of said handle saidangled surface driven by the remainder of said urging means operates tourge the outer portion of said handle away from said operator and thusnot tend to whip the operator.